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Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:30:53 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1GEARS OF WAR 4 Brilliantly Passes the Lancer to a New Generation (Review)http://nerdist.com/gears-of-war-4-brilliantly-passes-the-lancer-to-a-new-generation-review/
Thu, 06 Oct 2016 17:30:53 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=445573There’s something incredibly special about the Gears of War franchise. It’s loud, bombastic, over the top, and for the most part, its characters are fun caricatures of the most dude-bro testosterone-filled grunts you can imagine. But somehow, these specific traits are what endeared so many gamers on the Xbox 360. With new hardware, Gears of War 4 has the difficult task of not only living up to the high expectations previous installments have set, but also revitalizing the franchise with new lead characters. So rev up your lancers, because we’re about to rip right into this mofo.

Things pick up 25 years after the third game, and Sera (the earth-like planet the Gears series calls home) is not the same war-ridden mess that it was the last time we saw it. Nature is overcoming abandoned locations, there’s now a new faction called “The Outsiders” and Windflares (giant wind storm with lightning crashing down) now come crashing from the heavens, ripping apart everything in its way. Even the COG have gone through an interesting change, where robots now replace humans in security and construction.

Unlike his father Marcus, James Dominic (J.D.) Fenix, doesn’t stick with the COGs after he joins their ranks. Instead, he chooses to go AWOL with his friend, Del. Living the life as “Outsiders,” they make a friend named Kait in one of the “Outsider” settlements. These are the three new characters who’ll be carrying the Gears of War torch forward. This is when all hell breaks loose for J.D. and the crew. People start disappearing, and through a twist of fate, J.D. must now continue his father’s legacy—which is a theme that is present throughout the game.

As soon as you pick up the controller, things feel different. The first thing you’ll notice is how vibrant the world is, with added color and brightness. But the difference in color isn’t the only aesthetic change; the first location you visit is full of tech, and shiny metal. Heck, the first opposition you meet are the DeeBees (COG robots). It’s a stark contrast to the previous games, and felt too clean, but it doesn’t last very long. The down and gritty feel of previous games returns once you meet the new foes threatening the planet, but more on that in a bit. The main characters aren’t as colorful with their language or as ridiculous, but as a result, they feel more human than Marcus and his friends ever did. Though it felt weird and unfamiliar at first, this makes sense in the context of the peaceful world these characters grew up in.

Filling this brighter world are the Swarm—fast, nimble, and terrifying new baddies, especially when they belch unnerving screeches. There are Pouncers that shoot you with needles, and jump on you when they’re close enough; and the bug-like Snatchers that are capable of sucking you into their belly, and carrying you right away. The list goes on. Because of their speed, I found myself adapting to it by moving around more, not staying in one spot for too long.

But the Swarm may have met their match in J.D., Kait, and Del. These three kick complete ass, and can handle a Lancer as well as anyone. They’re much more subtle than Marcus, Cole, Dom, and Baird (not that that’s saying much given most video game characters are subtle in comparison to the crazy squad), but that doesn’t mean they don’t get to be silly in dire times. They constantly joke around, and make light of their situation—there are even a couple re-occurring jokes that eventually pay off. Thankfully, there’s also plenty of banter between the group that allows their personalities to shine. Shout-out to the voice-actors for killing it.

It’s clear that one of the focuses in the game was to give the player more melee freedom with the introduction of the yank, vault kick, and combat-knife. Each one of these new additions diversifies the combat enough to the point where I kept being more aggressive. There were too many times during the previous games where it came down to going from cover to cover to shoot waves of Locust down, making for very dull gameplay. As for the familiar running mechanic, that also got a tune-up and feels smoother than ever before. It’s also easier to maneuver when running, especially now that you can hurdle over objects.

New weapons are introduced as well, like the Buzzkill, which shoots out ricocheting buzzsaws. There’s also the Dropshot that shoots off a floating grenade in a straight line that stays in the air as long as you hold the trigger. There are a few more that are actually pretty rad, and most importantly fun with which to use and experiment. A shotgun that shoots twice with one trigger pull? Why not?

The biggest change, however, has to be the dynamic battlefields. Remember the windflares I was talking about earlier? There are a few battle sequences that take place during these insane storms, which means you have to take the wind into consideration during the fight. While shooting down debris can easily take out a group of Swarm, there are other times where the lack of visibility puts your team into tough situations as you’re blindly trying to land a grenade on your enemy’s doorstep. While epic, these action-packed sequences were sadly underutilized. I definitely would have loved to see more in the story mode.

Most importantly though, this game plays like a Gears title. Reloading is the same, ducking behind cover hasn’t changed (still best cover system ever), and out of this world set pieces are present. Sometimes the story feels a bit shallow (go get this, go save this, go kill this), but it makes up for it by focusing the mysteries of the Swarm and our protagonists’ past and adding some fun moments for long time fans.

It won’t take you too long to complete the campaign; it’s five acts long like the previous games. One thing I found myself appreciating most, however, is the cinematic feel. The cutscenes are gorgeous, and the touching moments really hit home. Plus, the game looks absolutely stunning on the Xbox One S and a 4K display, legit gorgeous. There are also those explosive set-pieces that will blow you away, and some really cool “holy-s***” moments that rank up there in the series. There’s an escape scene on a motorcycle that was reminiscent of one of the Gears of War 2 boss fights that still has me reeling.

For a campaign that has to introduce new characters and enemies, while staying true to the series at the same time, Gears of War 4 does a spectacular job. I want to know more about J.D., Kait, and Del, and even want to know what’s going on with the old crew. As you already know Marcus is in the game, and he plays a pivotal role once again, but it isn’t what you expect. He’s here to pass the torch to his son. The way the Coalition handled this transition should be applauded.

I only wish there was more closure at the end of the the installment. I won’t spoil much, but it doesn’t feel complete. I get that Microsoft wants this to be an ongoing franchise,—so we know more are coming—but one of the cooler things about the original trilogy is that all three had a real endings. Once I hit the last cut-scene of 4, I had an empty feeling. While it’s good that I wanted more (meaning I really enjoyed it), the end wasn’t as satisfying as sinking a whole city, or taking out the Locust queen.

I would recommend this game to most (especially Gears of War fans) on the campaign alone, but that’d be doing a huge disservice to the new Horde 3.0 and online multiplayer match-types. Horde 3.0 in particular is a total addictive experience—it’s easy to pick up for half an hour, is crazy intense with friends, and will give you a rush when you get far.

So what makes this Horde mode so special? The most important addition is the Fabricator, an indestructible military grade 3D-printer that allows you to purchase and set fortifications. It almost turns into a tower-defense game, where you choose a corner, set some sentries and barriers to see how long you can last. The furthest I got with another player was to 10 without going down once. But it goes up to 50 waves, with boss stages after every 10 rounds, so it’s a hefty amount of content. There are also classes you can choose before playing to fit your play-style the best, like: engineer, heavy, or soldier. Each class has its perks, so it becomes pivotal to coordinate with friends. It’s five player co-op, and even supports local co-op, so this is the perfect mode to play with friends.

As for the multiplayer, there are three new types: Dodgeball, Escalation, and Arms Race. By far, the most exciting game type was Dodgeball. This is a 5-on-5 mode where you get only one life, but you can be brought back when a teammate takes down an opponent—hence the dodgeball name. It’s like one giant tug of war, and I can already see what kinds of crazy come backs we’ll be seeing online. And the best players will find themselves going back and forth in one match.

That’s not to disparage the other new modes: Arms race is a lot like Gun Game from Call of Duty, but more team based. Each team starts with the same weapon, and must get three team kills to move on to the next weapon. Whoever cycles through the predetermined set of weapons wins the game. It’s best out of 3, so there’s a chance for either team to win the match. It’s also the best way to get a feel for all the weapons.

Escalation is a lot like a domination mode where you must battle for control of three different spots, but you go until a team wins seven rounds. As you can imagine, it will take about half an hour plus to finish a match. But like the other two modes, there’s an emphasis on allowing teams to comeback from behind. If you take all three points of interest, you instantly win the round, so if you’ve fallen behind, you can push to be more aggressive to win a couple of rounds. My team was losing four rounds to two, but forced it to go to the very end for the win.

All three new multiplayer game types are a total blast. And I really appreciate that there’s a focus on team play, and allowing teams all the opportunities to make comebacks. I was also pleasantly surprised by how well the new combat features worked seamlessly in multiplayer. Like every game that includes a multiplayer component these days, there are now Gear Packs that allow you to customize your character, perks, etc. And you can of course purchase them with real monies if you want your shot at getting a golden Lancer (rare loot).

And finally, Gears of War 4 is a play anywhere title, so you’ll be able to play on PC as well. It also supports cross-play on Campaign, Horde 3.0, and multiplayer.

THE VERDICT:

Simply put, this is a great game that both feels fresh and familiar. The Coalition has a winner on their hands. The campaign features the same explosive moments you expect from a Gears game with the same brutal gameplay, while including more relatable protagonists. But Horde 3.0 and multiplayer make this a must own for every Xbox One owner out there. It’s way too much fun to ignore.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Imulsion-free Burritos.

Pros:

The action is as good as it has ever been.New weapons, smoother close-combat, it’s as brutal as ever.

Horde 3.0 is way too fun with friends. The new additions feel right at home.

New Multiplayer modes keep teamwork in mind, and give many chances for epic comebacks. I absolutely love, LOVE, Dodgeball.

A new era of Gears of War is here, and it’s fantastic.

The game is gorgeous. Get yourself an Xbox One S and 4K display.

Cons:

The end doesn’t provide enough closure.

This review was completed using an Xbox One copy of Gears of War 4 provided by Microsoft. The game hits shelves on October 11, 2016 for the Xbox One and Windows.

Image: Microsoft, Xbox

]]>Is the XBOX ONE S Worth the Upgrade? (Review)http://nerdist.com/is-the-xbox-one-s-worth-the-upgrade-review/
Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:00:31 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=426808It’s finally that time in a console generation where current hardware gets a newer, usually slimmer redesign. Microsoft has made the first move by releasing the Xbox One S, which was announced back at this year’s E3. The new machine ditches the Xbox One VCR look for a smaller, more discrete design that’ll fit into any media room. Though the S boasts a bunch of new features to go along with the slimmer design, the question at the end of the day is: Is it worth ditching the bulky Xbox One for? Lucky for you, we’re here to bring some clarity!

What is it?

The Xbox One S is, simply, the new Xbox One with a few extra bells and whistles to make it worth the upgrade. Usually a mid-cycle redesign like this doesn’t fundamentally change the functionality of the hardware, and the Xbox One S is no exception. You’ll still be able to play all your Xbox One games (Halo, Gears of War, etc.), and it even runs the same operating system (that recently added background music, and several other big features).

The biggest change is, of course, the slimmer look (which we’ll get into in a bit). It also supports 4K Ultra HD video, which unfortunately doesn’t apply to the gaming side; you’ll have to wait for the launch of “Project Scorpio” next year for that. That said, it’s still a nice addition for those who already have a 4K television.

On top of the slimmer body, the S also packages in a brand new controller. The peripheral is almost the same as the original controller, except for the fact that it now features bluetooth capabilities, and a few subtle design choices. It also has longer range, which ensures that you never lose connectivity with your Xbox One S. For more on the new controller, and how you can customize it, head on over to our review of the Xbox Design Lab here.

You can nab the 2TB Launch Edition Xbox One S in “robot white” for $399, starting today (August 2). But if that’s still too pricey for you, there will also be a 1TB console available for $349 and a 500GB one for $299 coming very soon. All of them share the same build outside of the hard drive space. Considering Microsoft has made it easy to use external hard drives to supplement your Xbox’s storage, you may be better off going for the least expensive one.

Less is more

Now it’s time to talk about the new design! The console itself is actually 40% smaller than the OG Xbox One, and Microsoft was finally able to replace the dreaded power-brick with an internal power-supply. Huzzah! Replacing that pesky brick is a standard-looking power-cable, and I couldn’t be any happier. It’s nice to see the Xbox One catch up to PlayStation in this department.

Whether or not the Xbox One really deserved all the hate for looking like a VCR, even the console’s most staunch defenders will admit that it was way too big. Shedding the bulk and losing the power-brick is some sort of engineering magic. Plus, the console is definitely much sleeker while maintaining the the same general design of the original Xbox One. When looking at it from above, half of it looks like a giant vent, while the other half looks like matte plastic.

Despite shedding some bulk, the S still includes the same number of ports as the original One… that is, except for the often forgotten Kinect port. Again, I’m glad Microsoft finally found a way to go with a slim console that doesn’t compromise the experience. As for the Kinect port, few used the voice peripheral, so it makes sense to lose it for the sake of keeping the new hardware as tight as can be. But if you’re a fan of the Kinect, and end up grabbing the S, go to this site to get a free adapter. Aside from that, one of the USB slots has been moved to the front of the console, making it much more convenient to reach. It was always such a hassle getting to the back of the console. The controller sync button has also been pushed to the front, along with the new IR blaster.

For those looking to save even more shelf-space, the console can be placed either horizontally or vertically. That may not sound like a big deal, but the bulkier Xbox wasn’t able to stand vertically, which meant sacrificing a whole lot of space in your media setup. Being able to stand the S up vertically is a feature someone like myself, who already has two other home consoles hogging up space, has been begging for since day one. So yeah, it’s sort of a big deal.

Best of all, even when running, the Xbox One S is absolutely silent. Of course, the Xbox One is silent, too; it’s just nice to see the S retain that considering the console is working off internal power in a smaller package. And let’s not forget that this still plays some of the best games on the market, like Inside and Ori and the Blind Forest.

4K movie nights

Outside of the design, supporting 4K video is the biggest new addition to the Xbox. The console will play your 4K blu-ray movies (I watched Star Trek, the original Ghostbusters, and Independence Day in glorious 4K this weekend), and will even support the ultra HD playback from streaming services like Netflix. While I think this absolutely incredible, the drawback is that you obviously need to have a television that supports this resolution to even enjoy the feature, and at the moment, the adoption rate for 4K isn’t high (important note: you don’t need a 4K TV to use the Xbox One S). Just know that it is the next step in resolution, so even if you have no use for it now, one day soon enough, the system’s 4K playback capability will come in handy. That said, the difference in resolution between HD and 4K isn’t a big deal for some, so if this is you, it would be easy to get by without upgrading your tv, or upgrading to the S in the first place if you don’t have the optimal setup.

The new Xbox does support high dynamic range (HDR) for both video and gaming, which is a plus. Basically what it means is that there’s a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, which in turn provides a better picture.

With all of that said, the Xbox One S has positioned itself as the best media player/console combo in the business. Sure, to most the resolution spike isn’t a big deal, but it is indeed the next step in high definition movie experience. With the S, Microsoft is providing a 4K player, and I definitely dig that.

The verdict

Now we can revisit the original question: is the Xbox One S worth purchasing, even if you already own an Xbox One? My answer is a big fat Yes! That is, if your funds allow for this sort of luxury spending. I get that Project Scorpio (a more powerful console) is set to launch next year, but Microsoft has stated that it’s slated for a holiday 2017 release, and that’s a long time to wait. So if you want to get the best Xbox experience, why wait? And we don’t even know what the Scorpio even is at this point. The Xbox One S is the best Xbox experience yet.

Look, the slimmer body and loss of the power-brick will be a good enough reason for someone (like myself) to upgrade to the S, but this does feel like a great home media center hub—and that’s why I’m recommending it. Sure, this will never have any exclusive S games launching on it, but it’ll still play all of the Xbox One’s best, like Halo, Quantum Break, and Gears of War.

This review was completed using a review console provided by Microsoft.

Images: Microsoft

]]>Express Your Funky Side With The Xbox Design Lab (Review)http://nerdist.com/express-your-funky-side-with-the-xbox-design-lab-review/
Fri, 29 Jul 2016 15:00:59 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=426136Last month at E3, Microsoft made a number of big announcements regarding its Xbox division, including the reveal of the Xbox One S and the tease of their next generation home console, Project Scorpio, which they said will be powerful enough to outpace current consoles. But there was another announcement that was interesting: the Xbox Design Lab. This new site allows gamers to customize an Xbox One controller in any crazy combination of colors. Thankfully, Microsoft was nice enough to let us check it out, so here’s everything you need to know:

The Basics

The controller you design will be the new version that comes packaged with the Xbox One S. The differences from the original controller are subtle, but they are there. For starters, the new controller includes more grip on the back where your hands rest, and the classic Xbox home button doesn’t protrude like it did before, which makes it a bit more difficult to hit. The new one also supports bluetooth for those who like to use the controller on PC and other devices. The other design changes don’t really affect the experience.

Customizing a controller on the Xbox Design Lab will set you back a pretty penny, $79.99 to be exact. That’s about $20 more than a standard Xbox One pad will cost you. There’s also an optional laser engraving that’ll add another $10 to the order. The good news: shipping is free.

Orders are now open in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico with designs being made through August delivered in early September. Orders made after this time will usually be delivered in 14 business days.

Customization

Now that we got that clear, what can you actually customize? First, it’s important to note that you can’t currently customize the components of the controller, nor can you use the Design Lab to create your own Xbox One Elite controller. This is strictly used to change the colors to express yourself in any way you want. With eight million color combinations available (according to Microsoft), there’s a good chance you can really create some funky looking controllers.

You can throw whatever shade you’d like on the body (from a choice of 15 colors), bumpers and triggers (15 colors), D-pad (15 colors), thumbsticks (eight colors), ABXY buttons (five colors), view and menu buttons (four colors), and back (15 colors). How you combine the choices is up to you, and can result in some gnarly looking pads.

Unfortunately, the flashiest colors available only include: lightning yellow, zest orange, deep pink, and electric green. Hopefully we’ll see zanier choices in the future, but we’ll do with what’s made available.

Feast your eyes on the finished product below!

Ease of use

If you do choose to customize your controller, it’s really easy to use the Xbox Design Lab. All you do is go on the site, and follow the on-screen instructions. In total, it’ll be about seven different steps when including updating your payment and shipping information. But the actual customization portion is one step (not including the engraving), so you won’t have to worry about going back and forth between steps to experiment with the look of your product. It’s a rather pleasant experience. Best of all, the colors on the mock-up of your controller are a pretty accurate representation of the final product–it’s actually spot on. This means you’ll know exactly what to expect when tearing open the packaging.

I went with the glacier blue body, deep pink bumpers and triggers with matching thumbsticks, zesty orange D-pad along with the same splash for the back, and finally grey on white face and menu buttons as to not to detract from the flashiness of the controller. I even engraved Pablo at the bottom of the controller’s face because I’m a huge fan of Kanye West’s latest album. It came out super clean looking, and is reminiscent of candy. I chose to go with a super flashy combination to ensure I’d never see this as a general release.

The verdict

There’s no doubt that the Xbox Design Lab is a easy and incredibly fun to tinker with. The experience gets an A+, and the cherry on top is how accurate the colors are to the real deal. There’s no complaint there. Even the engraving is a sick option for those who want to show their gamertag off.

I can’t recommend that everyone go down this route, though. $80 ($90 if you add the engraving) is a whole lot of moolah for a controller that is functionally the same as one you can get for $20 cheaper. Not to mention that Microsoft has done a great job of creating some rad Xbox One controllers in a bevy of colors, and I suspect they’ll do the same with the new controller. I personally love both of my Halo 5-themed peripherals, which are both cheaper than one of these customized ones.

That said, if you have the cash and are a big gamer, having the option to create a flashy controller is sweet. Many have already done the double-take when spotting my rainbow sherbet-inspired controller. Nothing like an eye-catching piece to complete your gaming room. If that’s not your thing, you’d probably be better off using the extra $20 on a game like Inside on the Xbox One digital store.

Images: Microsoft

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This review was completed using a review code provided by Microsoft.

]]>Microsoft Announces New Hardware: Project Scorpio and Xbox One Shttp://nerdist.com/microsoft-announces-project-scorpio-and-xbox-one-s/
Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:45:26 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=411483Microsoft’s E3 press conference was pretty impressive on the game front, but the biggest news to come from the briefing was the announcement of not just one but TWO new consoles! The previously leaked, slim Xbox One was officially revealed as the Xbox One S. But more importantly (and shockingly), we also got the Project Scorpio announcement–which was touted as the ultimate gaming machine with enough horsepower to support virtual reality and specs that could blow their current competition out of the water.

As many suspected, the slimmer hardware is much smaller than the original machine (it still looks like a VCR player), and will be capable of playing video in the vaunted ultra-HD 4K resolution. Best of all, you’ll be able to pick this bad boy up this August for $299. Take a gander at the announcement trailer above.

As for Project Scorpio, we know it will have incredibly powerful 4K gaming (natively and VR), and that it launches holiday 2017. We didn’t see the actual machine, but that doesn’t matter–this was Microsoft throwing the gauntlet down. Now we wait for Sony to make their move. We know the PS4.5 is real, and we also know it won’t be here at E3. So if not this week, when will we see it? And will it be launching this year? Microsoft definitely seems to have the advantage here.

The Xbox One controller is also getting a few upgrades like increased range, but don’t worry: the beloved design isn’t changing. Overall, this is a clean redesign that shouldn’t alienate current Xbox owners.

Do you currently have an Xbox One? Will you be upgrading, or does this low price point entice you to finally get a One? Do you even care about playing your games in 4K? When do you think we’ll be seeing the PS4.5? What do you think about the announcement of project Scorpio? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t miss ALL our E3 coverage this week on Facebook, Twitter, and right here on Nerdist.

Image: Microsoft

]]>GEARS OF WAR 4 Footage Looks Spectacular, Will Be First Game Available on Xbox Play Anywherehttp://nerdist.com/gears-of-war-4-footage-looks-spectacular-will-be-first-game-available-on-xbox-play-anywhere/
Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:00:07 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=411477Going into Microsoft’s E3 conference this year, we were hoping to see a ton of Gears of War 4footage, and we weren’t disappointed. The reveal was one of our favorites from last year’s conference, so seeing actual gameplay was a real treat. Laura Bailey (of Geek and Sundry’s own Critical Role) hit the stage to introduce and play the game live. It was also revealed that the game will be the first title available on Xbox Play Anywhere—a program that allows you to access your games and achievements on both Xbox One and PC. The game will also support cross-play across campaign, multiplayer and the new horde mode.

As expected, the gameplay resembles the third-person cover shooter we all know and love. If you got a chance to check it out during the stream, you were able to appreciate the crisp graphics, and beyond amazing sound design. The game looks as gory (and fun) as ever. There wasn’t too much plot-wise revealed, though we did get a sneak peek of the infamous Marcus Fenix at the end of the trailer!

If that wasn’t enough, following the action-packed demo, a gorgeous Gears-themed Xbox One Elite Controller was revealed. Feast your eyes on the controller in the video at the top of the page. We’re proud owners of the original Elite Controller (which allows you to customize your gaming experience), so you know we’ll definitely be grabbing the Gears-themed one to play Gears of War 4 when it launches on Xbox One and Windows 10 October 11, 2016.

What did you think of the gameplay footage and the new controller? Will you be taking advantage of the Xbox Play Anywhere program? Let us know in the comments below.

Don’t miss ALL our E3 coverage this week on Facebook, Twitter, and right here on Nerdist.

Image: Microsoft

Featured Image: Microsoft

]]>New DOOM Video Game Hides Hellish Surprises in Its Soundtrackhttp://nerdist.com/new-doom-video-game-hides-hellish-surprises-in-its-soundtrack/
Fri, 03 Jun 2016 00:00:05 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=407754The first major entry in the fan-favorite DOOM franchise to release in over 10 years comes fully loaded with secret locations, power-ups, and collectibles. The game has been well-received by critics and gamers alike, but not all its secrets are accessible through gameplay alone. For the uninitiated, DOOM is a first-person shooter, developed by iD Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, that allows players to control an unnamed marine who battles demonic forces of Hell unleashed upon the colonized planet of Mars. The franchise is well known for its intense gameplay, Hellish and Satanic imagery, and wealth of hidden objects and locations, but it turns out that even the game’s soundtrack is getting in on the fun.

Kotaku reports that DOOM composer Mick Gordon has hidden a fun little Easter egg in the track named “Cyberdemon,” which refers to one of the most formidable creatures in the game. As if the minotaur-like beast with a cybernetic leg and rocket launcher wasn’t imposing enough, it turns out that the musical accompaniment to this monstrosity comes laden with hidden pentagram and 666 imagery. These were discovered by running the track through a spectrogram, or a visual representation of the spectrum of sound frequencies.

Take a look at the hidden images embedded in DOOM’s soundtrack, captured by redditor Tomcb:

To see the discovery in action, YouTubers NERD SAUCE and Face Like The Sun have posted videos of their capture of the Easter eggs using the spectrograph:

That’s a pretty clever bonus item to add to the ever-growing list of secrets discovered in the new game, and I can only imagine that other gamers have already run the rest of the soundtrack through a spectrograph to see if anything else is hiding in the musical madness. The “intense” and “impactful” music of DOOM is a perfect companion to the game itself, but this added layer is a reminder that the Dark Lord is always watching.

Have you been enjoying this latest playthrough of Hell on Mars? Have you found any secrets that no one’s reported on yet? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

]]>Xbox One Receives Price Drop, Could be Prelude to New Hardwarehttp://nerdist.com/xbox-one-receives-price-drop-could-be-prelude-to-new-hardware/
Wed, 01 Jun 2016 00:00:57 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=407144If you haven’t purchased an Xbox One yet, now might be the time to empty those piggy banks, because you can officially nab the system for as low as $299! The good news is that existing bundles (of which there are many) are also $50 cheaper. The official Xbox site has this deal lasting “for a limited time,” so you’ll want to act fast if you’ve been looking to finally upgrade. On the surface, this looks like Microsoft is trying to move hardware since they’re lagging behind on sales against their greatest competitors (PS4 has sold 40 million units), but isn’t the timing a bit peculiar?

Dropping the price only weeks ahead of E3 may be an indicator that all the rumors about the mega-company revealing new hardware at the event are indeed true.

According to Kotaku, we are going to see two new versions of the Xbox One in the next couple of years. The first one, set to launch this year, will be a smaller version of the One that’s available now, but will include a 2 TB hard drive. Great news for those who hate the old-school VCR look of the current hardware. The second one, which is reportedly slated for a 2017 release, will actually be a premium device with a more powerful GPU. It will technically work with the Oculus Rift, so Microsoft is looking for a partnership with Oculus. Makes sense once you consider PlayStation will have their own VR headset by the end of the year.

All will be revealed soon enough, but where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

Do you expect Microsoft to reveal two new pieces of hardware? Do the rumored specs make you want to wait on getting an Xbox One? If the rumors are indeed true, do you like what Microsoft is doing with the Xbox division? If you don’t already have a One, does the price drop sell you on the hardware? Let us know in the comments below!

Image: Microsoft

]]>Gaming Daily: Sony May Be Working on a PlayStation 4Khttp://nerdist.com/gaming-daily-sony-may-be-working-on-a-playstation-4k/
Sat, 19 Mar 2016 05:00:34 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=380965Happy Pokkén day! There’s something incredibly endearing about a Pikachu wearing a luchador outfit, don’t you agree? Who will you be choosing to enter the ring with you in Pokkén Tournament? As much as I like the aforementioned electrify-type, I’ll be sticking to Gengar, because there’s nothing more badass than a ghost type that never stops smiling. That said, we’ve got some business to attend to before you head off into the weekend to kick some Poké-butt.

In today’s Gaming Daily, Sony could be working on a PlayStation 4K, pre-orders for the PlayStation VR bundle open up next week, Nerdist News discusses the possibility of a PSN/Xbox Live mashup, Paragon early access opens today, and of course, a Pokkén Tournament review roundup.

Sony may be working on a PlayStation 4K

This far into a console cycle is when we typically start hearing about redesigns—changes made to make said machine cheaper. Rumors are starting to surface, however, that Sony is taking a whole new route by working on a new PS4 that’s much more powerful. According to Kotaku’s sources, the Japanese company might be making a PlayStation 4.5 (a.k.a. PlayStation 4K). the new rig will reportedly include an improved GPU that could help the console output games in 4K and even enhance PlayStation VR games. We reached out to Sony, but they declined to comment. It would honestly make a whole lot of sense to incrementally upgrade these machines, so don’t be surprised if this is indeed true.

PlayStation VR launch bundle pre-orders will go live next week

Sony has announced that the PlayStation VR launch bundle pre-orders will open on Tuesday, March 22. The bundle will include everything needed to get the full PS VR experience, and it will set you back $499.99. The core PS VR bundle that Sony previously announced at the $399.99 price point will not be available for pre-order. No other information was divulged about the core bundle, which admittedly is strange since most people praised the company for selling their headset at an affordable price.

Anyway, the launch bundle does net you some savings if you don’t have all the items required. Here’s what will be included:

All contents of the PS VR core bundle:

PS VR headset

PS VR cables

Stereo Headphones

PlayStation VR Demo Disc

PlayStation Camera

2 PlayStation Move motion controllers

PlayStation VR Worlds (disc)

It’s not a bad deal at all, but some of us already own the PS camera and Move controllers. So this package isn’t worth the asking price. If the UK is any indication though, you’re definitely going to want to pre-order one of these bad boys before they are no longer available.

Nerdist News: Will Xbox and PlayStation gamers ever get to play online together?

Could there be a world where both Xbox gamers and PlayStation players could join forces online? Could two opposing networks one day share one virtual battlefield? It may be more likely than you think. On today’s Nerdist News, our very own Jessica Chobot discusses Microsoft’s cross-platform feature. The new feature will allow Xbox One players to play online with Windows 10 mouse and keyboard warriors, but the company also sneaked in a comment that this will allow other networks to connect with Xbox Live, not just PCs. Sony responded by saying the company would be open to discuss the idea, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Let’s make it happen, folks!

Paragon early access opens today

Early access for Epic Games’ PS4/PC MOBA Paragon is now open to all those who purchased the founders pack. There’s still going to be free access to the game during this summer for everybody, but the developer is rewarding those who support them first with an early look at the game. As such, don’t expect a final product, but it’s already looking and running rather slick. Also, more free-to-play heroes are on the way, including Sevarog, Iggy, and Scorch. Peep the beginner’s guide above.

For those who don’t know much about this game, it’s a third-person MOBA. Usually, this genre of games take the over-head perspective, with a few exceptions including Epic’s latest. I’m not much of a MOBA player myself, but I’ve had a lot of fun the few times I’ve played. The cheapest founders pack will set you back $19.99, but you can invest up to $99.99 if you want to get a longer duration of experience boost and other rewards.

Pokkén Tournament review roundup

The highly anticipated Pokémon fighter, Pokkén Tournament is finally available to the masses and the reviews are in! Unfortunately, it hasn’t been getting the most rave reviews, already becoming one of the most divisive titles this year. Either way, we thought we could show you how the internet feels about the game, just in case you’re still deciding whether it’s a worthy addition to your Wii U collection.

Many, including myself, have been craving a great Pokémon fighter, but it looks like we might have to wait a bit longer. I’m going to make a bold prediction (that actually isn’t that bold): this game is going to sell well despite the less than stellar reviews. I know, who would ever predict that a Pokémon game could sell well? If that is indeed the case, then there’s a chance that a sequel will eventually come, which makes this a good start. Personally, I’m too much of a pocket monster fan not to be playing this in the next few days.

That’s it for this week, fellow nerds. Make sure to take breaks between Pokkén battles by playing some Mutant Mudds Super Challenge. Yeah, that’s what I’ll be doing over this short break. Next week we’ll be at WonderCon, so be on the lookout for some awesome coverage of the event. And if you’re in town for that, come say hello at our booth and panels!

What games will you guys be playing this weekend? Are you excited about the possibility of a PS4.5? Let us know in the comments below!

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Image: Sony, Nintendo

]]>Will Cross-Platform Gaming Really Bring Xbox and PlayStation Together?http://nerdist.com/cross-platform-gaming-xbox-playstation/
Fri, 18 Mar 2016 20:30:06 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=381050Up until now, Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network were two different ways you could play games online with friends or strangers, but never the two would meet… until now? A recent announcement from Microsoft — outlining their plans to introduce cross-platform play between Xbox Live and Windows 10 for Rocket League — mentioned that the native support they’re introducing could allow for “other online multiplayer networks.” Bold move for Microsoft to take the first steps at suggesting the two gaming giants could start playing nice.

Imagine how awesome it would be to game with all of your friends, regardless of what console they own? Never again feeling the pressure to ditch your Uncharted exclusives to buy an Xbox and join your buddy’s Halo squad. No longer would you stay up late debating whether Mortal Kombat X players are more worthy challengers on Sony’s platform or Microsoft’s! What a wonderful world this could be!

Thanks for watching today’s show! In case you missed it, catch up with all of our SXSW coverage, including interviews with Danny McBride, Gillian Jacobs, Anna Kendrick, the casts of Silicon Valley and Preacher, on Nerdist.com.

But what do you think? Let us know in the comments below: Do you want to see Xbox and PlayStation cross-platform play take off? Are you too dedicated to your own platform to share the love? Do you think PlayStation will follow suit?

]]>Sony’s Response to Microsoft’s Cross-Platform Play Idea Gives Hopehttp://nerdist.com/sonys-response-to-microsofts-cross-platform-play-idea-gives-hope/
Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:00:09 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=379925Microsoft batted its eyes from across the console bar at Sony this week, and while the two aren’t exactly dating quite yet, Sony didn’t exactly recoil in disgust at the obvious flirting.

Yesterday we told you about Microsoft’s new feature that makes it possible for XBox users to play online with Windows 10 users, with Rocket League as the first title up for cross-platform play. However, the even bigger takeaway was the potential to also offer the feature with other PC users, and, surprisingly, the PS4. It was clear Microsoft was hinting at the formerly unthinkable union with PlayStation when they said they have an “open invitation for other networks to participate as well.”

Now we know Sony is considering it. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe.

In response to a GameSpot question directly asking if such an arrangement were possible between themselves and Microsoft, Sony said, “We would be happy to have the conversation with any publishers or developers who are interested in cross platform play.”

Alrighty, so they didn’t say yes…or even refer to Microsoft by name, but for all of you eager to play games with your friends that bought the wrong damn console even though you told them to buy the other one, it’s hard not to feel like this:

Sony pointed out that they have offered cross-platform play with PC users with certain titles as far back as 2002 (Street Fighter V has this feature now), but this is obviously a whole different monster.

Microsoft dipped a toe in the water, and Sony is at least sitting poolside, debating whether or not they also want to take a swim. Whether the two ever come to an agreement or not though, the community pool won’t be open for quite awhile for gamers.

But at least Sony didn’t sink the possibility.

What do you think? Will Sony ever take Microsoft up on their offer? Tell us what you think in the platform of our comments section below.

]]>Gaming Daily: UNCHARTED 4 Has Been Delayed Againhttp://nerdist.com/gaming-daily-uncharted-4-has-been-delayed-again/
Thu, 03 Mar 2016 06:00:07 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=374670We’ve had quite a busy day in terms of news, so let’s get right into it! In today’s Gaming Daily, Uncharted 4 has been delayed again, Mass Effect Andromeda‘s release has been pushed to early 2017, Ubisoft details server information for The Division, I played the first four hours of Dark Souls III and shared what I learned, and Microsoft revealed the next Forza cover car.

Uncharted 4 delayed…again!

Welp, if you were hoping to get your hands on Uncharted 4 next month, I have some bad news for you– it’s been delayed again. The news was revealed via a PlayStation blog post published late last night. According to PlayStation president Shawn Layden’s remarks in the post, the game’s official launch is being postponed two weeks to May 10, 2016, in order to “allow for extra manufacturing time.” Creative director Neil Druckmann echoed Layden’s remarks about “meeting worldwide demand” in a statement on Twitter (above).

Just in case you’re having a hard time keeping track (I know I am), the game was originally slated to release last fall, but was later delayed until March 2016, and then again to April 2016 (for various reasons).

You won’t have to wait until May to try the game out however, as Naughty Dog recently revealed that they would be running a stress test this weekend, from Friday, March 4 at 9:00am PST until Sunday, March 6 at 11:59 PST.

Mass Effect: Andromeda pushed to early 2017

Speaking of delays, EA finally confirmed that Mass Effect: Andromeda won’t be releasing until early 2017. The game (which we haven’t heard much about) was originally slapped with a Holiday 2016 release. The news came to light when EA CFO Blake Jorgenson’s remarks at the Morgan Stanley’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference was documented on NeoGAF.

Here’s when The Division‘s servers are going live

With The Division releasing next Tuesday, March 8, Ubisoft took to their blog to update fans on when the servers are going live and why it means you won’t be seeing reviews on day one.

The statement reads: “since it’s impossible for us to populate the servers in a way that would adequately replicate playing The Division on launch day, reviewers will start playing the game along with everyone else when it’s released on March 8 – after the servers go live officially and globally at 00:01AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). We anticipate there may be some impressions posted online within the first few days of launch that were based on experiences with The Division Beta, and we look forward to seeing streams, videos, and opinions that provide accounts of final, in-game conditions.”

The developer also revealed that those who’ve purchased digital copies will be able to preload starting: today for Xbox One; Thursday, March 3 at 6PM CET / 9AM PT for PC (Steam/Uplay); and March 6 at 00:01AM local time on PlayStation 4 – except Japan where it will be available on March 8 at 00:01AM. In the US, digital copies of The Division for Xbox One, PS4, and PC will be active at 12:01AM EST on March 8.

We shared what we learned from four hours of playing Dark Souls III.

Last week, I had the pleasure of playing the first four hours of Dark Souls III–which launches worldwide on April 12–and am more excited for it than ever. To find out what I learned about the Firelink Shrine, the starting classes (and stats), and returning characters, head on over to my full feature (linked below)!

Next Forza game announced, Lambo Centenario will grace the cover.

The next Forza game was announced today. Well, kind of. With the 86th annual Geneva International Motor Show kicking off this week, Microsoft got into the spirit of the event and revealed that Turn 10 Studios partnered up with the folks at Lamborghini to feature the new Lamborghini Centenario as the cover car for theirr next entry in the series. The best part is that players will be able to experience the virtual version of the car before its available in the real world.

As for the game itself, Microsoft explained in a post on Xbox Wire that they’re “not quite ready to unveil the title or any big details on the next Forza game yet” and that they will be revealing more details during their media briefing at E3 this year.

That’s it for today’s Gaming Daily. Keep Nerdist tabbed for upcoming gaming news, reviews, and features. In the mood to discuss what you read? Join the conversation on Facebook, or start one up with me on Twitter: @Samantha_Sofka

]]>TITANFALL 2 Will Include Single Player Campaign, TV Spin-Off in the Workshttp://nerdist.com/titanfall-2-will-include-single-player-campaign-tv-spin-off-in-the-works/
Tue, 09 Feb 2016 02:30:57 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=365273Prepare for Titanfall, once again.

Respawn has heard your pleas and is going to include a single player campaign in Titanfall 2(or whatever it’s going to be called). This news was confirmed by lead writer Jesse Stern in an interview with Forbes. He even discussed a television spin-off in partnership with Lionsgate TV, but didn’t divulge much else.

“One of the shortcomings of the first game was we just did not have the mechanism to tell everyone ‘here’s who you are, here’s where you are and who’s around you.’ We knew all the answers, we just could not deliver it,” said Stern.

He continued, “So we are doing our best to deliver a vision of grand global colonial warfare retelling the story of the American Revolution and the American Civil War in space. We imagined the next generation of immigrants moving out to the new frontier of an inhabitable planet. Rather than taking a traditional sci-fi approach to that, we wanted to look at how that would happen practically, what the ships would look like and with machines that were designed for excavation and construction, demolition and working the land, and what happens when they are turned into instruments of war.”

Some might say a campaign is unnecessary, and those people aren’t technically wrong. The first mech-focused installment was fantastic without incorporating a robust story-mode, but that doesn’t mean including one won’t enhance the value of the game altogether. Plus, the description of this new Titanfall sounds quite intriguing.

One thing is for certain, Respawn has the gameplay mechanics down. The sequel should do exponentially better in the sales department thanks to it launching on multiple platforms (the first one was an Xbox exclusive), and it now being a known commodity.

Do you guys care about this predominantly online-shooter switching gears and including a story-mode? Would you be interested in watching a television spin-off? Let us know in the comments below!

]]>Defunct STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT 3 Game Footage Surfaces on Reddithttp://nerdist.com/defunct-star-wars-battlefront-3-game-footage-surfaces-on-reddit/
Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:00:10 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=357911Less than a month into 2016 and we already have more leaked footage of LucasArts’ canceled title, Star Wars: Battlefront 3. A Reddit user is claiming to have a working build of the game, and even uploaded some links–which have since been removed–that allow other fans to nab it. Even if the links were still up, you’d need an Xbox 360 dev kit to run it.

Unfortunately, the short clips aren’t embeddable, but there are three links you can check out. First, here’s a look at the build being booted up with title screen. Then we have a look at the character creation, and some action on Hoth. Keep in mind, these are incredibly short, but they still makes us wonder about what could have been. It’s important to remember that these are being posted on Reddit, so there will always be mysteries surrounding their legitimacy.

What is interesting, however, is that the title has become an extremely popular discussion point over the years. The project certainly appeared to be ambitious, which is why so many are saddened that the project never came to fruition.

Which leads us to the latest Star Wars Battlefront game. It didn’t quite live up to the dedicated fanbase’s expectations, but I felt it was a good start. Not overly ambitious, but that’s okay since it appears like the focus for Dice and EA with Star Wars Battlefront 2015 was to have it run smoothly while looking gorgeous. They definitely succeeded in doing that.

What do you guys think about these short snippets of the now defunct game? What did you think about the latest installment in the series? Do you agree with our review? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>Nerdist Play- Xbox One & PlayStation 4 2015 Progress Reporthttp://nerdist.com/nerdist-play-xbox-one-playstation-4-2015-progress-report/
Tue, 29 Dec 2015 17:00:54 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=347132The PC, Wii U, and mobile devices all serve as viable and excellent video game platforms; virtual reality gaming is sure to make some noise throughout 2016; but there’s no competition in the industry more intriguing than the market duel between the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Both platforms cultivate a brand loyalty and industry progression similar to that seen in the old days of the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo–with two brands constantly pushing each other to innovate in hopes of becoming the most groundbreaking mainstream gaming platform on the market. PlayStation pretty much walked away with 2014, and after this year’s E3, it seemed as if 2015 would pan out the same. But Phil Spencer and company have turn the Xbox One’s launch misfortunes around in a big way, equating to the most competitive year between the two in this new generation of consoles thus far.

The final Nerdist Play of the year will be recapping the progress of the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, and weighing in on which console had the best all around year. Does the PS4s dominance on the sales chart grant it the title of best home console on the market? Which system had the best year from a triple A exclusive standpoint? Throw your gaming platform performance report down in the comments below.

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Nerdist Gaming is growing and you can find us all over the internet these days! If you’d like to continue the conversation, you can check us out every week on our Twitch channel or every day on our Facebook page! Also, if you’d like to chat about video games with me directly, I’m only one tweet away @Malik4Play.

]]>The Mutant Season #174: Chris Erbhttp://nerdist.com/the-mutant-season-174-chris-erb/
Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:30:30 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=338284Managing Partner of TripleClix, Chris Erb, talks to Gil about his past jobs at EA and Legendary and what his company TripleClix does!

]]>Xbox One Bundles Get A Price Drop on Black Fridayhttp://nerdist.com/xbox-one-bundles-get-a-price-drop-on-black-friday/
Fri, 20 Nov 2015 18:30:00 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=336820If you’ve read our recent video game holiday gift guide, you know that the Xbox One Fallout 4 bundle is easily one of the best deals of the year. We have even better news for those planning on surprising their gaming geek loved one this holiday. Microsoft has announced that all 12 of the Xbox One bundles available this year will go for $50 cheaper than their standard retail price starting on Black Friday, and will remain on sale through Cyber Monday. This will mark the first time that you can get your hands on one of the new-gen consoles at the $299 price tag.

This deal will apply to both online and in-store purchases, so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to order one of these bad boys. Here are the 12 bundles you can nab at a discount from November 26 to November 30:

Xbox One Limited Edition Halo 5: Guardians Bundle

Xbox One Elite Bundle

Xbox One 1TB Holiday Bundle

Xbox One Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Bundle

Xbox One Rise of the Tomb Raider Bundle

Xbox One The LEGO Movie Videogame Bundle

Xbox One Special Edition Gears of War

Xbox One with Kinect Bundle

Xbox One Fallout 4 Bundle

Xbox One Limited Edition Forza Motorsport 6 Console

Xbox One Madden NFL 16 Bundle (Nearly sold out)

Xbox One FIFA 16 1TB Bundle (Nearly sold out)

If you’ve been looking to add Microsoft’s latest console to your collection of gaming hardware, this deal provides the perfect opportunity to do so. There are plenty of excellent exclusive titles available on this platform to justify the purchase. I’ll personally be looking to add either the Halo 5: Guardians-themed X1 or the Elite bundle (that Elite wireless controller is too great not to own), despite already owning the sleek Cirrus white version. Seriously, there’s something here for everyone.

Will you be joining the Black Friday shopping frenzy? Does this entice you to finally join the Microsoft family? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>Holiday Gift Guide 2015: The Gamer Geekhttp://nerdist.com/holiday-gift-guide-2015-the-gamer-geek/
Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:00:55 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=333810I feel quite sorry for anyone doing video game-centric holiday shopping this year, because the market is congested with video SKUs in a way that it’s never been before. Trying to choose amongst them is sure to make your head hurt—and buying them all would do the same to your wallet. That said, we’re here to narrow down the list of must have video game stocking stuffers for the year 2015.

Sit back and come with us as we journey down the road to video game euphoria. We’ve got a little something for everyone, be you a PC gamer, someone who’s obsessive about game peripherals, or a fashionista who desires to rep a certain fake soda pop brand. What 2015 games should you grab before the close of the year? With all of the specialty console bundles out in the wild, which ones should you keep a close eye on? For answers to these pressing questions, check out the gallery below for all of the insight you’ll need in regards to the best holiday gifts in this year of video games.

Oh, and before you go, we’re continuing the tradition of conducting a huge holiday giveaway! One lucky soul is going to walk away with a slew of goodies, all of which are featured in the many Nerdist Holiday Gift Guides. Stay tuned to find out which prizes you’ll have a shot at winning this year, and let us know about the gifts that have you intrigued this holiday season.

]]>Game Review: Lara Croft Excels in RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDERhttp://nerdist.com/game-review-lara-croft-excels-in-rise-of-the-tomb-raider/
Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:30:20 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=331363Over two years ago, Crystal Dynamics rebooted the Tomb Raider franchise. With it, we saw a younger version of Lara Croft, stranded on an island, separated from her team, and forced to learn how to fend for herself. Though flawed in some aspects of its execution, the game was a great starting point for our favorite British archaeologist. Lara’s experience on Yamatai brought out the survivor in her (hence the “Survivor is Born” text at the end of the game), ignited her appetite for knowledge, and perhaps, most importantly, showed her that the stories her father had told her were true. The developer’s newest entry in the series, Rise of the Tomb Raider, takes the knowledge that she gained in the reboot and expands upon it, bringing a much stronger, more experienced hunter to the table. With the engaging plot, gorgeous graphics, the ability to craft on the go, and yes, more tombs, Rise is everything we loved about Crystal’s Tomb Raider and more.

Right off the bat, the plot is much stronger this time around, which probably has a lot to do with our heroine’s motives. The story picks back up about a year after the previous game. Since leaving Yamatai, Lara has become obsessed with her father’s research, and proving that neither she nor Lord Croft are insane for what they claimed to have witnessed during their adventures. Much of her drive to find the truth is spurred by an opposing group called Trinity, who are also on a quest to find Siberia’s lost city of Kitezh and uncover its mysterious link to immortality.

In addition to setting out to clear her name, Lara’s got a chip on her shoulder, but hasn’t lost her moral compass. So, despite being hostile, she’s able to see past her emotions and make the right decision (whatever that may be) at the end of the day. Although it sounds like your typical set up, there were surprising moments that not only pushed Lara, but showed her level of maturity. It’s hard to dive into what those moments actually are without trekking into spoiler territory. Just know that the story does a great job of focusing on Lara’s goals, while staying true to her values at the same time.

There were surprising moments that not only pushed Lara, but showed her level of maturity.

Lara’s friend Jonah is along for the ride again, but that doesn’t last long, as they’re quickly separated. While she spends a vast majority of the game alone, Lady Croft teams up with a native group called the Remnants, who’ve been protecting their land for years. The leader of the group, Jacob, is given his own fleshed out backstory, which adds to the overarching plot. In stark contrast to the previous title, the great thing about the writing in Rise is that it made me care about what happened to the supporting cast. I also felt for Lara even more in this adventure. Her desire to stop Trinity for the good of mankind, and fight for her father’s reputation really resonated with me and made her feel human.

Remnant however, isn’t only around for story purposes. Their addition also brings the new side-mission feature to the game. These extra quests are connected to the story, and offer up some pretty decent rewards (i.e. adding a sight to her rifle etc). Instead of feeling like an annoyance, like they do in most games, I found myself wanting to take on and complete these, because they really do help you out on your journey.

I was also happy to see that tombs are back in the game. Sure, there were a few in the reboot, but not nearly as many as there are now. In fact, one of the first locations you visit in the game is a gorgeous tomb set in Syria. The crumbling ruins and the vistas beyond were awe-inspiring, and a testament to Crystal’s mastery of creating stunning graphics and lighting in the game. Making the Prophet’s tomb the whole reason that pushed her to Kitezh in the first place was a smart move, and a great way to let fans know that they meant business (as far as tombs are concerned) this time around. Much like the side quests, raiding a tomb granted something I found pretty useful. But, instead of getting a new weapon or item, completing one unlocked a new skill (like being able to climb a wall faster), which can’t be found anywhere else.

Tombs are back in the game

But, before you’re able to claim your prize, you must first actually find the tomb’s entrance. Although they do show up on the map at some point, figuring out how to get to the exact location is a different story. They are often hidden behind physics-based environmental puzzles, or locations that you won’t be able to reach until you’ve acquired better gear later on. Thankfully, the puzzles extend to the main campaign. Though there could have been more, the ones that are present are complex enough to get you thinking. They are by no means impossible to figure out, nor are they overly simplistic. Instead, they lie somewhere in between, which renders them a ton of fun as a result.

It’s also evident that Lara has brushed up on her survival skills. The climbing axe is back, and works similarly to how it did in Tomb Raider. Simply reaching a craggy or icy surface and hitting ‘x’ on the controller, allows Lara to scale a surface with ease. Later on in the game, she’s able to use it to grapple to new locations, and attack enemies. Her bow is another useful tool which eventually allows her to interact with objects, create ziplines, and shoot climbing arrows into soft wood. Discovering new traversal techniques is gradual, but once she’s fully upgraded, Lara is unstoppable. Having a variety of ways to quickly switch between mountaineering techniques, complements the game’s escape and action sequences well. During a particular scene, Lara was running and jumping to a nearby ice wall, scaling another with arrows, grappling up a wall and over to another platform, only to ride down a zipline as everything is coming crashing down in the background. It was exhilarating.

Also in her arsenal of weapons she’s got a pistol, rifle, shotgun, and the all new hunting knife–which is useful for cutting rope or killing enemies from above. Combat for the most part is the same, but on-the-go crafting and Lara’s new ability to hide in trees, or under water, makes stealth a more viable option. Though I didn’t spend much time bouncing around the treetops, swimming was a great addition, especially after finding a rebreather, that enables her to stay under water for longer periods of time. Water take downs in particular were a lot of fun to do, especially when you’re able to quickly dodge out of sight under the thick ice, before leaping out of a nearby hole to quickly pull another enemy into the icy depths.

The on-the-go crafting and new ability to hide in trees, or under water, makes stealth a more viable option.

That isn’t to say that stealth is top notch; this still doesn’t hold a candle to something like Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain; but, it has been improved. Much of this becomes evident once you dive deeper into Lara’s skill trees, and upgrade her weapons. While the Brawler category introduces the ability to leap down on her prey for a knife kill, the Hunter skill set allows her to loose up to three arrows at a time, at three different locked targets. Though these were great, the Survivor tree’s “Body Trap” skill, which enables her to craft poisonous traps on dead enemies, was my favorite. There’s nothing quite like peering out from behind a corner and watching an unsuspecting victim investigate the beeping sound on his dead comrade, only to die moments later.

Despite the new focus on stealth, however, the combat system still has it’s flaws. The AI weren’t as responsive as I’d hoped, especially when it came to using an object to distract them, but they remained consistent. On several occasions, enemies didn’t notice when I threw a bottle at a nearby wall. I know it had to do something with range, but gauging it was often difficult. It always worked the same, but it would have been better if the boundaries were clearer.

As I mentioned previously, the on-the-go crafting is another useful feature, and makes a lot more sense than Lara relying on collecting resources from random caches. Want to heal yourself? You’re going to need to find specific ingredients in her environment to do that. The same goes for creating ammo, special arrows, grenades, molotov cocktails and more. The animals in the environment also serve a purpose, allowing Lara to use their skins for ammo capacity upgrades, and increasing the amount of resources she can hold. Some are harder to take down–with wolves only coming out at night–but doing so reaps better benefits.

Verdict

After learning to survive in the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, Lara honed her skills, and set out on a mission to become the hero she was destined to be in Rise of the Tomb Raider. As one of the most beautiful games available on the Xbox One at the moment, it demonstrates Crystal Dynamic’s ability to craft realistic lighting and a gorgeous playground worth exploring. Tombs are back, plentiful, and a joy to conquer once located. While it could be better, the combat has been improved, thanks in large part to the ability to craft on-the-go, a couple of news tools, and the abilities that come along with them. But, it isn’t perfect, and is slightly crippled by the flawed AI. Lara’s grown immensely since the first game, and as a result of her experiences, has risen as the Tomb Raider we can’t wait to see more of.

CONS

4.5 out of 5 Burritos

This review was completed using an Xbox One copy of Rise of the Tomb Raider. The game hit stores today, November 10, as a timed exclusive on the Xbox One.

]]>Why OVERWATCH May Be the Multi-Player Shooter of Your Dreamshttp://nerdist.com/why-overwatch-may-be-the-multi-player-shooter-of-your-dreams/
Fri, 06 Nov 2015 23:30:59 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=330482Though rumors leaked earlier in the week, forcing Blizzard to confirm the news ahead of schedule, we finally have all of the details on their upcoming game Overwatch, which will indeed be coming to consoles Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in addition to the previously announced PC version. If you thought the new heroes and expansive world of this MMO looked cool but you don’t have a PC set-up, the gaming company has decided to open it up to the console-only crew, an unsurprising move after the success of Diablo on consoles. Blizzard announced 3 new hero characters, their PC and console price points, confirmed that the game will be pay-to-play and not free-to-play, and introduced all gameplay modes, including a new “spectator” mode, for those times when you just want to kick up your feet, relax, and watch someone else blast up their enemies. Extras that come with the Origins Edition include 5 skins and Overwatch-themed extras for other Blizzard games, like Diablo III, Hearthstone, and World of Warcraft. In addition, they announced a collector’s edition for consoles and PC that includes the Origins Edition and a freakin’ bronze statue, y’all!

Join Jessica Chobot, live from the Anaheim Convention Center at BlizzCon, for more details on the highly anticipated new game, and why one new gameplay mode means that Blizzard is serious about eSports, on today’s Nerdist News!

Thanks for watching today’s show! Make sure you check out our other videos from BlizzCon, including our Warcraft trailer breakdown, and let us know in the comments which platform you will be playing Overwatch on.

]]>Now is The Best Time to Upgrade to A Next-Gen Consolehttp://nerdist.com/now-is-the-best-time-to-upgrade-to-a-next-gen-console/
Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:00:41 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=318766Some early adopters of the PS4 and Xbox One will find this hard to understand, but there are still a ton of people who are reluctant to upgrade from their Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles. Things like price point, lack of backward compatibility, and the dwindling availability of games across all platforms–titles like Destiny are on the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well–have made many people forgo taking the leap up to next-gen bliss.

But with the holiday season is full effect, many of the previous grievances being rectified, and too many specialty console bundles releasing to count on two hands, is it time to upgrade to a next-gen console? We’ll be discussing that on this week’s episode of Nerdist: Play, along with what each console has to offer with their latest updates. Are you leaning toward a PS4 now that the price is down? Does the Xbox One’s backward compatibility seem appealing to you? Let us know if you’re making the jump, and where to, in the comments below.

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Nerdist Gaming is growing and you can find us all over the internet these days! If you’d like to continue the conversation, you can check us out every week on our Twitch channel or every day on our Facebook page! Also, if you’d like to chat about video games with me directly, I’m only one tweet away @Malik4Play.

]]>Use MINECRAFT’s New Cape to Fly Around Like Supermanhttp://nerdist.com/use-minecrafts-new-cape-to-fly-around-like-superman/
Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:00:18 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=316207Minecraft is about to get a bit more fly. A brand new item will soon be added to the game that will allow PC gamers to gracefully take to the skies in Adventure Mode. Minecraft lead developer, Jens Bergensten, tweeted out some information about a nifty new cape that will allow players to fly around in the aforementioned mode like Superman. Yes, it looks rad. It will be included in the next update, which unfortunately has yet to be dated.

As far as we know, no superpowers other than flying will be granted with the cape. Darn. At least it will make exploring strange and far locations much easier. It’s already possible to fly around in this cubed world, but never before like this. In full motion, you really will look like a super hero.

Here’s a look at the glorious new item in full action, provided by Jens.

You won’t be able to craft this coveted item, but will actually have to find it. Where? That bit of information is still unknown. But, knowing this community, it will be all over the wikis as soon as the update goes live. We also know that it will fold when you are grounded– Mojang thought of everything.

I can’t wait for the modding community to get their hands on this. They will surely find new inventive ways of using this impressive addition. I also hope console gamers get to play around with the cape as well.

What do you think about this new cape? Will you be using it to explore? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>Gaming Daily: EA Is Producing A MASS EFFECT Theme Park Attractionhttp://nerdist.com/gaming-daily-ea-is-producing-a-mass-effect-theme-park-attraction/
Wed, 30 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=312322What happened to this month? September came and went, and I’m pretty sure that’s due to the immense amount of gaming we’ve been doing now that release season in full effect. Things aren’t slowing down either, so we’ve got the latest news all in on place to help you get back to your gaming STAT. In today’s Gaming Daily, we’ll dive into the details of the PlayStation 4‘s new firmware update, give you the rundown on the upcoming Mass Effect theme park attraction, take a gander at Major Nelson’s announcement of a long-awaited feature for the Xbox One, and much more.

Mass Effect will invade theme parks next year.

While we’re waiting on Mass Effect: Andromeda, the next-gen iteration of the series that’s slated for holiday 2016, EA is collaborating with California’s Great America on a Mass Effect theme park attraction. It’s said to be a “4D holographic attraction” that will be set in the franchise’s universe, and will feature many of the characters from the games. The press release reads, in part, as follows:

Riders will climb aboard motion-based seating and wear 3D glasses as they are taken on a thrilling adventure. A live performer will curate the journey and appear to interact seamlessly with the next generation 3D visuals. These elements will be integrated with motion seating, high tech [sic] sound and other 4D effects to create a truly compelling and immersive attraction. Guests will travel through space to a distant planet, face off against bigger than life adversaries and ultimately help save the day.

The attraction will take place in California Great America’s Action Theater, which is currently the home of a Happy Feet-themed ride. With Nintendo teaming up with Universal to do theme park attractions and Ubisoft announcing a park of their own in Maylasia, it looks like all of the amusement park giants are hoping to cash in on the popularity of video games. The obvious question now is: how long will it be before we get a Minecraft World announced? We all know it’s coming…

We reviewed Skylanders: Superchargers

The “toys to life” genre of games continues to grow, and we took an in-depth look at one of the latest ones in our Skylanders: Superchargers review. This game adds vehicles to the already robust world of Skylanders, giving players land, air, and water environments to take their favorite characters through. But is it enough of a fresh take on the series to warrant the price tag? Read our full review right here on Nerdist.

Xbox One party chat cap increased to 12

Major Nelson swiftly dropped a bomb on social media today, announcing the increase of the Xbox One party limit from 8 to 12 users. Fans had been begging for this feature since the Xbox 360 and the addition is made sweeter with its integration with the Windows 10 Xbox app. The update is free and live (no pun intended) as of this evening.

Great news: EVERYONE on Xbox One is getting 12-person Party Chat today. (Xbox One & Xbox App on Windows 10.) No preview required

This should bode pretty well for folks hoping to play Halo 5‘s Warzone mode, which allows up to 12 players to team up in massive multiplayer battles. Playing games like Star Wars Battlefront, where there’s large-scale battles that require ample communication, should all benefit from this increase, and you have to wonder whether the PlayStation 4 will up their party room limits as well. Four spots may not seem like a lot, but you’d be surprised how many folks end up sitting outside of full parties waiting for their turn to enter. I know this, quite well, from personal experience.

Everything you need to know about Halo 5: Guardians

Speaking of Halo 5, you’re probably wondering what’s to come for Master Chief and company when the game launches on October 27. Games writer Edwin Garcia got some hands-on time with the game in advance of its release, and had plenty to say about its campaign and multiplayer components. Check out his overall impressions of what he played right here on Nerdist.

PlayStation firmware 3.0 due out this week.

The PlayStation 4 may not be getting an increase to its party chat limit, but it is getting several other cool features. The PlayStation blog shed light on what to expect from the system’s 3.0 update, which is incoming this week. The new features include:

Sharing video clips to Twitter

YouTube livestreaming

PNG Screenshots

An Events section

Improvements to Messages and Favorite Groups

A Communities section

PSN Sticker emotes

A dedicated PlayStation Plus section

While these are all welcomed updates to the PlayStation 4 software, I wish they would’ve worked out some of the issues many have been begging to see fixed in this update. We’re two years in on the PlayStation 4 and still don’t have external HDD support, media servers and–though it’s a far cry that this will ever happen with PlayStation Now being a thing–backward compatibility. That said, Twitter video clips will increase my use of the share button substantially, even if it isn’t the GIF feature I was really yearning for.

That about wraps it for Tuesday’s Gaming Daily. Always keep it parked here on Nerdist for all of the juicy video game developments, and to chat about our beloved medium, I’m only one tweet away: @Malik4play.

]]>Here’s Everything You Need To Know About HALO 5: GUARDIANShttp://nerdist.com/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-halo-5-guardians/
Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:00:02 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=311441Whether 343 Industries would like to admit it or not, their team must be under immense pressure to not only continue Halo‘s already storied legacy, but also to expand on the masterpiece of a franchise. Halo 4 was the first test, challenging 343 to get the basics right. It also proved to be divisive among the fans: some were blown away by the new campaign, while others weren’t as optimistic. In reality, Halo 5 is the first time we get to see the team flex their muscles and really focus on making the series their own. They already have one full length adventure under the belt and know how to build a proper Halo adventure.

With Halo 5 less than a month away, Microsoft and 343 invited to have some extensive hands-on time with the game. I had the distinct pleasure of playing through a couple of campaign missions, and challenging some of my fellow colleagues in both Arena and Warzone. Continue reading below for a closer look at what to be excited for and some concerns that arose through my time with the game.

Campaign–Two missions, one happy Spartan.

We’re less than a month away from unveiling the truth we’ve been seeking for so long. Master Chief is no longer viewed as the valiant hero and is now being chased down. That, of course, will not stop him from completing his mission. As we already know, Master Chief and his team are being hunted down by Spartan Locke and his group. 343 has made a large effort in promoting what could possibly be the largest Halo campaign yet, so obviously the team made it a point of emphasis.

I had the chance to play through 2 missions, one as Master Chief and his team, and the other with Spartan Locke and his squad. The first of the two was an earlier mission where Chief had to infiltrate a location, while the latter was a massive Kraken battle where multiple vehicles were required.

There were two starkly different missions that got me fairly excited. The first mission was filled with tight corridors, and boasted a Halo 2-like feel. The confined spaces coupled with smoke felt both eerie and claustrophobic. The emphasis on this mission was teamwork. You can easily command Master Chief’s team to complete different tasks by simply looking at something and hitting the D-pad. I found it almost unnecessary until I found myself in a giant firefight with too many enemies to count. By simply directing my team at an enemy, they would help me quickly dispose of them. I quickly found myself wrecking the larger baddies using my comrades.

Defeating a Kraken with Spartan Locke on the other hand was the opposite of the first mission. Later on in the story, you battle through a massive outdoor location with a large fleet of enemies standing in your way. Things quickly escalate into a vehicular battle, where you must mount the giant beast that is causing such a headache.

Previous installments did an excellent job of keeping the gameplay varied and making sure you’re not doing one thing for too long. It’s also important that epic scale missions are present.

Another important note is that 343 seems to be trying to make Master Chief more personable. He has been through a lot in the past couple of games, and is finally starting to show that even the ultimate war machine isn’t physically (and emotionally) indestructible. He’s not at his best here, and his team definitely notices. I for one love this choice. As beloved as this character is, he was so hard to connect with when he didn’t have an expressive personality.

As we know, 343 already has a general idea of what the next 10 years will look like for this franchise, so hopefully that means that our hero will experience some emotional change.

Warzone–Multiplayer for the most refined squads.

Warzone is the mode for those that want something new, with a bit more strategy and teamwork. The skinny: you’ll be tasked with completing multiple objectives around a map, while also dealing with enemy AI and enemy players, which results in one giant skirmish where both sides are trying to reach a points goal. Battles feel huge because it’s 12 vs. 12 madness. The first thing that was immediately apparent was the size of the map. In order to accommodate the number of players, AI, and objectives, these maps had to be massive.

Before even moving out onto the battlefield, we had to secure our home base by clearing enemy AI out. It was far from difficult, but was the first objective of many. That’s when the map opens up, and it’s up to you and your team to decide how to establish dominance over your opponents.

Communication is imperative in this mode. Your team is stronger when you properly coordinate. Individual success is possible here, but the team best organized usually emerges as victorious. The whole thing actually felt like a natural extension of the campaign’s team-oriented gameplay.

Outside of actually planning your strike with teammates, the best tool at your disposal is the Req system. As confusing as it may seem, the truth is that it works a lot like Titanfall Burncards, just some cards here are permanent. You have special cards that you will be unlocking as you play online and you can use them during matches to give yourself a special weapon, vehicle, or a boost of some type like an armor mod. As matches progress, you’ll gain energy to unleash your best gear. You’ll have to use more energy for the best items, giving each match a natural escalation progression.

Using cards in the middle of a match can give you an advantage that can quickly turn the tides of battle. Having to redeem energy points gained in a match keeps the competitive balance that we all love to see in games like this. As fair as it may seem, things can really get out of hand if you’re not playing well.

Having multiple objectives on the field also allows smart teams to turn the tables on their opponents. There are multiple win conditions that can be taken advantage of in order to make a miraculous comeback, like taking out the opponent’s core. If played right, you can quickly make up ground in the points section.

Yes, it may seem daunting to understand all the strategies required for this game type, but this is a perfect mode for those that want more thoughtful moves, and team work. My biggest fear is that playing with strangers will almost always lead to a frustrating beat down from more prepared opponents. As well balanced as everything feels, you can’t really equalize the organization level between teams. With that being said, the madness is awesome. This mode will quickly become a fan favorite.

As for those looking for a more classic Halo MP experience…

Arena–Classic multiplayer for the classic gamer.

Don’t care much for large battles spanning across huge maps? Do you just want to get down in the classic Halo multiplayer? The Arena is for you. This is the gritty 4 vs. 4 mode Halo veterans want. Arena includes the following game types: Breakout, Strongholds, Capture the Flag, and Slayer.

What can I say? The classics rule.

We got to fiddle around with several maps including Crossfire, Coliseum, and The-Rig. Each one of these maps are excellent for the several playable game types. There are tighter corridors, and hallways made perfectly for fire fights, with the most open of all the maps being Coliseum.

We got to play several game types on each map, and it seems like they are all well made for whatever mode floats your boat. Some of the more intrusive presentation choices included in the beta were subtle this time around. Spartan abilities also seemed to be tweaked as well–players were using the groun- pound more effectively. 343 seemed to use the beta information effectively to tweak some of the complaints made by fans. It feels more like classic Halo.

Crossfire is still the the best map of the bunch. Its Tron-like esthetic is a perfect backdrop to the action going on.

As much as fans feared that it would feel like Call of Duty in space, it really feels like the same action-packed multiplayer that we all originally fell in love with. Sure, it has evolved, but I would definitely say that it appears for the better thus far. This is the intimate multiplayer that will give you a break from the total chaos of Warzone.

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There you have it, folks. Halo 5 could prove to be the largest Halo yet. The new additions add another dimension to the gameplay, and the multiplayer modes include a little bit of something for everyone. Stay tuned to Nerdist for more on this game as its release approaches.

]]>The Universe Mourns for Master Chief in Newest HALO 5: GUARDIANS Live-Action Trailerhttp://nerdist.com/the-universe-mourns-for-master-chief-in-newest-halo-5-guardians-live-action-trailer/
Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:30:44 +0000http://nerdist.com/?p=311557Boy, I guess live-action trailers are all the hype these days. Not to be outdone by former Halo dev Bungie and publishing giant Activision, the folks at Microsoft and 343 Industries have released a live-action trailer for the upcoming game Halo 5: Guardians–which launches exclusively on the Xbox One next month on October 27. Much like the one for Destiny‘s fall expansion The Taken King, the TV spot aired during Sunday night’s NFL football game.

The video (above) is somber, grim, and downright depressing. In it, we see the entire universe listen in as a woman reports the unfortunate death of the heroic Spartan John-117 (aka The Master Chief). The reporter notes, despite the fact that the Chief wouldn’t want to be elevated above others, that it is important to not only acknowledge his passing, but to “fight together as he fought” and “end this, not be ended by it.”

According to the report, the Chief, along with several other people, died in the year 2060. But, the obvious assumption is that Chief’s status is going to change pretty quickly. As we pointed out in our preview of the game, there is a ton of stuff going on. First off, Spartan Locke and his crew are hunting the Chief and his group. From what we’ve seen so far, Halo 5 is quickly shaping up to be the largest, most engaging and exciting campaign yet.

Are you excited for Halo 5? What did you think of the trailer? Let us know in the comments below.